Hello my friends! Today was busy - I made a big batch of turkey vegetable soup and froze two good meals of it, and we had one for supper which he loved! I was able to empty out the fridge for it, and using our frozen veggies we froze last summer. Our carrots are going down, thought they'd be enough for two years, but no, they are being used. We just started buying new frozen veggies - beans are gone, mixed veggies are almost gone, etc. not to bore you, but that's my life here! It's fun and exciting to watch the garden grow - but I can hardly wait for our raspberries to be ripe again, we ran out of them fast from the freezer. Praying for Shorelady's husband and that the new medication will be tolerated for him. Praying for you all.
With our blessings come responsibilities. Much is required of those to whom
much has been given. Lord, may I use my blessings to be a blessing to
others.
S C R I P T U R E F O R T H E D A Y
"I call upon you, for you will answer me, O God; incline your ear to me,
hear my words. Wondrously show your steadfast love, O savior of those who
seek refuge from their adversaries at your right hand. Guard me as the
apple of the eye; hide me in the shadow of your wings." ~Psalm 17:6-8
M E D I T A T I O N F O R T H E D A Y
Our need can be God's opportunity. First we can recognize our need. Often
this means helplessness before some weakness or sickness and an admission of
our need for help. Next can come faith in the power of God's spirit,
available to us to meet that need. Before any need is met, our faith can
find expression. That expression of faith is all God needs to manifest
God's power in our lives. Faith can be the key that unlocks the storehouse
of God's resources.
P R A Y E R F O R T H E D A Y
I pray that I may first admit my needs. I pray that then I may have faith
that God will meet those needs, in the way which is best for me.
Sermons I See
Author: Edgar A. Guest
I'd rather see a sermon than hear one any day;
I'd rather one should walk with me than merely tell me the way.
The eye's a better pupil and more willing than the ear,
fine counsel is confusing, but example is always clear
And the best of all preachers are the ones who live their creeds,
for to see good in action is what everybody needs.
I soon can learn how to do it if you'll let me see it done;
I can watch your hands in action, but your tongue too fast may run
And the lecture you deliver may be very wise and true,
but I'd rather get my lessons by observing what you do.
For I might misunderstand you and the high advice you give,
But there's no misunderstanding how you act and how you live.
Many of you may have read this before; though it is worth reading again with
a tear in the eye:
IT'S WHAT YOU SCATTER"
I was at the corner grocery store buying some early potatoes... I noticed a
small boy, delicate of bone and feature, ragged but clean, hungrily
apprising a basket of freshly picked green peas.
I paid for my potatoes but was also drawn to the display of fresh green
peas. I am a pushover for creamed peas and new potatoes.
Pondering the peas, I couldn't help overhearing the conversation between
Mr.. Miller (the store owner) and the ragged boy next to me.
'Hello Barry, how are you today?'
'H'lo, Mr. Miller. Fine, thank ya. Jus' admirin' them peas. They sure look
good.'
'They are good, Barry. How's your Ma?'
'Fine. Gittin' stronger alla' time.'
'Good. Anything I can help you with?'
'No, Sir. Jus' admirin' them peas.'
'Would you like to take some home?' Asked Mr. Miller.
'No, Sir. Got nuthin' to pay for 'em with.'
'Well, what have you to trade me for some of those peas?'
'All I got's my prize marble here.'
'Is that right? Let me see it' said Miller.
'Here 'tis. She's a dandy.'
'I can see that. Hmm mmm, only thing is this one is blue and I sort of go
for red. Do you have a red one like this at home?' the store owner asked.
'Not zackley but almost.'
'Tell you what. Take this sack of peas home with you and next trip this way
let me look at that red marble'. Mr. Miller told the boy.
'Sure will. Thanks Mr. Miller.'
Mrs. Miller, who had been standing nearby, came over to help me. With a
smile she said, 'There are two other boys like him in our community, all
three are in very poor circumstances. Jim just loves to bargain with them
for peas, apples, tomatoes, or whatever.
When they come back with their red marbles, and they always do, he decides
he doesn't like red after all and he sends them home with a bag of produce
for a green marble or an orange one, when they come on their next trip to
the store.'
I left the store smiling to myself, impressed with this man.. A short time
later I moved to Colorado , but I never forgot the story of this man, the
boys, and their bartering for marbles.
Several years went by, each more rapid than the previous one. Just recently
I had occasion to visit some old friends in that Idaho community and while I
was there learned that Mr. Miller had died. They were having his visitation
that evening and knowing my friends wanted to go, I agreed to accompany
them. Upon arrival at the mortuary we fell into line to meet the relatives
of the deceased and to offer whatever words of comfort we could.
Ahead of us in line were three young men. One was in an army uniform and the
other two wore nice haircuts, dark suits and white shirts...all very
professional looking. They approached Mrs. Miller, standing composed and
smiling by her husband's casket.
Each of the young men hugged her, kissed her on the cheek, spoke briefly
with her and moved on to the casket.
Her misty light blue eyes followed them as, one by one; each young man
stopped briefly and placed his own warm hand over the cold pale hand in the
casket. Each left the mortuary awkwardly, wiping his eyes.
Our turn came to meet Mrs.. Miller. I told her who I was and reminded her of
the story from those many years ago and what she had told me about her
husband's bartering for marbles. With her eyes glistening, she took my hand
and led me to the casket.
'Those three young men who just left were the boys I told you about.
They just told me how they appreciated the things Jim 'traded' them.. Now,
at last, when Jim could not change his mind about color or size....they came
to pay their debt.'
'We've never had a great deal of the wealth of this world,' she confided,
'but right now, Jim would consider himself the richest man in Idaho ..'
With loving gentleness she lifted the lifeless fingers of her deceased
husband. Resting underneath were three exquisitely shined red marbles.
The Moral:
We will not be remembered by our words, but by our kind deeds. Life is not
measured by the breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath.
Today I wish you a day of ordinary miracles ~ A fresh pot of coffee you
didn't make yourself...
An unexpected phone call from an old friend.... Green stoplights on your way
to work....
The fastest line at the grocery store....
A good sing-along song on the radio...
Your keys found right where you left them.
Send this to the people you'll never forget. I just did...
If you don't send it to anyone, it means you are in way too much of a hurry
to even notice the ordinary miracles when they occur.
IT'S NOT WHAT YOU GATHER, BUT WHAT YOU SCATTER THAT TELLS WHAT KIND OF LIFE
YOU HAVE LIVED!
INVOCATIONS TO THE HOLY GUARDIAN ANGEL
Holy Angel, my counselor, inspire me; Holy Angel, my defender, protect me;
Holy Angel, my faithful friend; intercede for me;
Holy Angel, my consoler, fortify me; Holy Angel, my brother, defend me;
Holy Angel, my teacher, instruct me;
Holy Angel, witness of all my actions, purify me;
Holy Angel, my helper, support me;
Holy Angel, my intercessor, speak for me;
Holy Angel, my guide, direct me; Holy Angel, my light, enlighten me;
Holy Angel, whom God has assigned to lead me, govern me.
Mother Teresa Said...
Spread love everywhere you go. Let no one ever come to you without leaving
happier
Meditations by Padre Pio
Oh Mary, sweet Mother of priests, mediatrix and administratrix of all
graces, from the bottom of my heart I beg and implore you to thank Jesus,
the fruit of thy womb, today, tomorrow and forever.
Blogs & Forums
Forums
Blogs
